UNAMID organized a photo exhibit, in collaboration with UNEP at El Fasher University. Photo by Albert González Farran

On the occasion of World Environment Day celebrated every year on June 5, the North Darfur Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), organised a photo exhibition highlighting the impact of waste management and promoting planting of more trees for a greener Sudan. The event, hosted at the University of El Fasher, was held under the theme ‘Sudan raises its voice for the environment' and included a cultural programme with traditional songs, drama performances, poetry recitals and community dialogue.

On its part, UNAMID has initiated a tree planting scheme in Darfur as part of the UN's tree planting campaign. “Trees help offset carbon dioxide emissions from other sources such as diesel generators and vehicles,” said Emmanuel Mollel, Head of UNAMID’s Water and Environmental Section. Since the Mission’s inception, a total of 270,000 trees have been planted in its compounds and bases across the region. This year, UNAMID peacekeepers have planted 4,000 trees at its headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur. Similar activities have taken place at UNAMID bases in all Darfur states. The Mission is also working with both local and international partners to promote and raise awareness on environmental challenges and achievements in the region.

In addition to tree planting, UNAMID is employing other environmental greening initiatives to reduce harmful emissions such as using renewable sources of energy and waste reduction. UNAMID has installed 216 solar-powered water heaters, 10 solar-powered borehole pumps and 340 solar street lighting.

Segregation of food and recyclable waste from the solid waste stream is another step being implemented in all UNAMID bases. Food waste is being used to produce compost, an organic fertilizer, and recyclable waste--juice boxes and plastic bottles--are being recycled to help cultivate saplings. Such measures reduce the final volume of food waste disposed in landfills, which, in turn, reduces methane emissions responsible for global warming and causing climate change.

On this date each year the United Nations seeks to promote worldwide awareness on environmental issues and encourages political action for the environment. This year’s theme--"Raise your voice, not the sea level"--seeks to raise awareness of unique development challenges and successes regarding a range of environmental problems such as climate change, waste management, non-sustainable consumption, degradation of natural resources and extreme natural disasters.

A UNAMID peacekeeper plants a tree at UNAMID supercamp. Photo by Owies Elfaki